Event industry foundation Meeting Needs has announced changes at the top of its management structure, with Chair Chris Parnham stepping down after serving a two-year term, the maximum permitted. He is replaced by Vice-Chair Lene Corgan, who has served as a member of the committee for nine years, focusing most recently on fundraising, and has also served as vice-chair for six years.
The changes were announced at this week’s annual showcase at London’s Spencer House when sponsors, fundraisers, supporters, and beneficiaries learned about Meetings Needs activities during the past 12 months. These changes followed the addition of new faces on the board earlier this year.
Parnham said the role was “the most fulfilling and rewarding chapter of my professional life”, a powerful statement, given the level of success of his career in the agency sector.
He said: “I am constantly inspired by the efforts, dedication, and passion of my Board colleagues and that of all our supporters, volunteers, champions, and partners. During my tenure as chair, we have raised around £250,000, which has been and is still being granted to very worthy charities and projects that often struggle to get exposure and investment. This is both humbling and inspiring, and I am truly proud of everyone who has been part of my two-year journey.”
He brought about significant changes during his tenure, including the repositioning of Meeting Needs as a foundation while retaining its registered charity status, and the creation of committees – each with a specialist brief and discipline to focus energy where it was needed “to allow us to focus talent and time on our core activities of fundraising and awarding grants.”
Lene Corgan’s long 9-year contribution to Meeting Needs is rewarded with a chance to steer the foundation’s future, while Parnham will remain on the committee to assist the team. Lene said: “I’m very excited to step into the role of chair. The mission of Meeting Needs is incredibly close to my heart, and I’m passionate about continuing the amazing work we do to make a real difference and look forward to working with the rest of the board and our supporters to take our impact even further.”
The showcase this week shared details of recent projects supported, including:
- Assisting Mighty Convoy’s aid to Ukraine by purchasing one of the vehicles that took food and medication.
- Jafuta Foundation’s refurbishment of a classroom in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, benefiting 60 students.
- Feast with Us provides meals to those in London suffering from food poverty. Meeting Needs funded 1,000 healthy meals.
- Providing Livingstone Tanzania Trust with £4000 to develop an acre of land as a school farm to grow their food, benefitting 358 students.
- Paying Happy Days to provide short breaks for 175 children with learning difficulties or suffering from neglect or abuse.
Meeting Needs is a foundation that awards life-changing grants to small charities with funds raised from within the Meetings Industry. To find out how you can work with Meeting Needs, contact mmann@meetingneeds.org.uk
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